Glen Sather wants to make a trade. If you're surprised by that statement, you don't follow the New York Rangers or know Slats' history.

With his team struggling (and Henrik Lundqvist not helping), Sather is making like a fiend on the phone trying to find a fit. With the NHL locked out of making trades until Dec. 28, the most Grinch-like Sather can do is arrange a deal.

Glen Sather (AP Photo)

According to the Ottawa Sun, Sather appears to be seeking a trade to shake up his team, which is supposed to have all the elements in place for a playoff run.

A 1-4-2 homestand with games remaining Sunday and Monday creates an air of desperation greater than the latest named winter storm. And while nobody cares about the storm's name they do care about who Slats might be peddling to willing partners.

How about Michael Del Zotto and Dan Girardi? Both defensemen have good press clippings, and defensemen remain a valued commodity on the trade market. Teams can't get enough of them; just ask the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team with its top four blue-line players out with injuries.

Del Zotto, anyone? The Sun suggests the Ottawa Senators might be interested because they need a puck-moving defenseman. But with loonies tight, GM Bryan Murray will want to move a contract or two to get his man and stay under budget. Defensemen Patrick Wiercioch and Eric Gryba are mentioned.

Girardi is headed for unrestricted free agency, so cashing him in is the sensible thing to do.